Bob Mellow

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Mellow was one of the leaders of the ill-fated legislative pay raise in 2005. [9] He told constituent Bill McIntyre to "Get a life" in an email exchange about the pay raise bill. [10] This phrase became a rallying cry for reformers that year. [11]

Federal investigation

In March 2012, Mellow agreed to plead guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and filing a false income tax return. [12] Mellow formally pleaded guilty on May 9, 2012, to a conspiracy charge related to using Senate staff members to do political work and filing a false tax return. [13]

During the proceedings, U.S. District Judge Joel H. Slomsky thoroughly laid out the charges and the plea agreement for the former senator, making sure Mellow understood the plea agreement and the consequences of it. Asked if he understood that he could receive a maximum prison sentence of five years, Mellow replied "I do". He gave the same answer when asked if he understood he was pleading guilty to a felony and that it would affect his ability to vote and hold a political office. He was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison on November 30, 2012. He forfeited his state-funded pension when he was sent to federal prison after his political corruption and tax evasion convictions. However, his pension was later restored in 2017, in a narrow 6-5 decision. [14] [15]

After serving his sentence, in 2014 all other charges were dismissed. [16] [17]

In 2016, Mellow released a book titled "Used, Abused & Forgotten - Bob Mellow: A Targeted Senator" which chronicled his life in politics and his time in federal prison. [18]

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "Senate Floor Leaders since 1950". The Pennsylvania Manual. Vol. 118. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Department of General Services. 2007. pp. 3–265. Archived from the original on 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
  2. 1 2 "Pennsylvania State Senate - Robert J Mellow Biography". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  3. ↑ Josh Brogadir, $35 Million Grant for Scranton Medical School, WNEP News, 10/30/07 [ permanent dead link ]
  4. ↑ Birkbeck, Matt (2013). The Quiet Don. New York: The Berkley Publishing Group. pp. 29–36. ISBN   978-0-425-26685-4 . Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  5. ↑ Micaehl Race, Senate Dem leader: Open records law overhaul needed", The Daily and Sunday Review, Towanda, Pennsylvania, 1/25/07 [ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ Thomas Fitzgerald, Lawmaker considering a run for governor, Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/7/07 [ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ http://www.senator-mellow.com/2010Releases/February9-2010.htm [ permanent dead link ]
  8. ↑ The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review [ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ "House Bill No. 151 Session of 2005". Pennsylvania General Assembly Committee of Conference.
  10. ↑ The Times-Tribune - Politicians peek from bunker, see unemployment line Archived November 11, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ www.PACleanSweep.com Archived January 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ↑ Former Pa. state senator to plead guilty in corruption case
  13. ↑ "Mellow pleads guilty in federal court - News - Citizens' Voice". Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
  14. ↑ Robert Swift (July 19, 2012). "Former State Sen Robert Mellow Appeals Pension loss decision". The Times Tribune.
  15. ↑ Navratil, Liz. "Pa. officials restore six-figure pension for former senator convicted of corruption". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  16. ↑ | Final charge dropped against former Pa. senator in pay-to-play turnpike scandal By The Associated Press | October 16, 2014 at 5:34 PM, updated October 16, 2014 at 5:38 PM |
  17. ↑ "Convicted state senator wants $20,509-a-month pension restored | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette".
  18. ↑ Lynott, Jerry. "Former PA senator Bob Mellow writes book about life as lawmaker and behind bars". www.timesleader.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
Bob Mellow
President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate
In office
November 18, 1992 –March 15, 1994
Political offices
Preceded by President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate
1992–1994		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate
1989–1992		Succeeded by
Preceded by Democratic Leader of the Pennsylvania Senate
1994–2010		Succeeded by
Pennsylvania State Senate
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 22nd District
1971–2010		Succeeded by

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